A rare and majestic Eurasian lynx has been captured on video roaming through the forests of Paklenica National Park. The footage, shared on social media, showcases the elusive predator gracefully navigating its natural habitat, highlighting the park’s rich biodiversity.

Accompanied by a poetic caption—"Through the forest, wide and free, without a path, without a trail, the lynx wanders endlessly"—the video offers a rare glimpse into the secretive life of one of Croatia’s most endangered and protected species.

Paklenica National Park, part of the Velebit mountain range, is known for its rugged landscapes and diverse wildlife, making it an essential sanctuary for species like the lynx. Sightings of this elusive feline remain uncommon, underscoring the importance of conservation efforts to protect its fragile population.

This footage serves as a reminder of the untouched beauty of Croatia’s national parks and the incredible wildlife that calls them home.

As part of planned joint activities, the Croatian Air Force conducted flight operations with members of the 31st Fighter Wing of the United States Air Forces in Europe, based at Aviano Air Base in Italy. The exercises took place over the past two days at the "Colonel Marko Živković" Barracks in Velika Gorica.

The Croatian Air Force participated in the exercise with Rafale aircraft, while the U.S. Air Force operated F-16 fighter jets, reports HRT

Colonel Vlado Pavlinec, Chief of the Operations Center of the Croatian Air Force and coordinator of the activities on behalf of the Croatian Air Force and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Croatia, emphasized the importance of such joint flight operations.

"Through these joint activities, we not only enhance interoperability and exchange experiences but also improve the training and readiness of flight crews in carrying out their missions. These exercises contribute to the mutual support and knowledge-sharing of ground technical personnel in aircraft reception, inspection, and preparation, as well as the joint analysis of completed missions and planning of future flight operations," said Pavlinec.

The Ministry of Defense (MORH) also highlighted that "in addition to improving the training level of Croatian Air Force pilots on Rafale aircraft, these joint flight activities enable pilots to gain valuable knowledge and skills in cooperation with experienced allied air forces."

Furthermore, these joint flight activities are conducted to facilitate experience exchange, interoperability, and standardized training procedures for mission planning and execution. They also aim to strengthen trust and partnerships within NATO while enhancing the overall readiness and capabilities of the Croatian Armed Forces and the Croatian Air Force.

The Dubrovnik-Neretva County Tourist Board is participating in the 33rd edition of the prestigious Holiday World & Region World fair, taking place in Prague from March 14 to 16, 2025, at the PVA EXPO PRAGUE exhibition center.

This renowned international fair brings together key stakeholders from the tourism sector and offers an excellent opportunity to promote the region on the Czech market.

At the shared stand of the Croatian National Tourist Board, spanning 64 square meters, the Dubrovnik-Neretva County Tourist Board will be joined by the tourist boards of Split-Dalmatia, Šibenik-Knin, Zadar, and Lika-Senj counties, as well as the Valamar hotel group.

Holiday World & Region World is one of Central Europe’s most important tourism fairs, featuring over 300 exhibitors from around 20 countries. Organizers anticipate more than 30,000 visitors, including tourism professionals, journalists, bloggers, and travel enthusiasts.

The first day of the fair is reserved for industry professionals, while the remaining two days are open to the public, allowing direct engagement with potential travelers and travel enthusiasts.

Alongside this event, the 15th edition of the For Bikes cycling fair and the Around the World travel festival will also take place, further increasing visitor numbers and interest in travel offerings.

The Czech market has long played a significant role in the tourism industry of the Dubrovnik-Neretva County. In 2024, the region welcomed 30,711 Czech visitors, who generated 229,906 overnight stays. Although this marks a 12% decline compared to the previous year, participation in this fair presents an opportunity to strengthen the region’s visibility and attract more Czech tourists to southern Croatia.

By participating in Holiday World & Region World 2025, the Dubrovnik-Neretva County Tourist Board continues its active promotion of the region on the Czech market, highlighting its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, gastronomic offerings, and authentic experiences that attract visitors from around the world.

The Dubrovnik-Neretva County has provided an update on the reconstruction, adaptation, and repurposing of the Kalos Special Hospital. Currently, the demolition of old structures is underway, including the old outpatient building, the older part of Kalos, the sunbathing area, the Putoks facility, and site preparation for the future construction of a new pool, roads, parking areas, and the reconstruction of the existing pool. Demolition work is also ongoing in the wing of the building designated for the future medical spa hotel.

In mid-February, the company Texo Molior, selected as the contractor, began the work. The reconstruction and repurposing project for part of the existing six-story SB Kalos building includes redesigning accommodation units to meet the standards for four-star spa tourism. The total floor area planned for reconstruction and repurposing is 3,090 square meters. The project involves demolishing all partition walls and installing new ones made of double-layered gypsum board filled with mineral wool. Bathrooms will receive waterproofing on floors and walls, suspended ceilings will be dismantled and replaced with new gypsum board ceilings, and ceramic tiles will be installed on floors and walls along with all necessary sanitary fittings.

A separate heating and cooling system with a heat pump will be installed, and hot water will be supplied from the building’s central boiler room. The thermal envelope will be insulated with mineral wool, and an external metal emergency staircase will be added. The roof of the annexed part of the building will be demolished and rebuilt with reinforced structures within the same dimensions. Additionally, an automatic sprinkler system with a sprinkler station and all necessary installations will be installed.

The project also includes outdoor complex improvements such as the reconstruction of the outdoor pool with stands, the construction of a laundry facility, a new outdoor pool with a sunbathing area and a café bar, internal roads with parking spaces, and landscaping.

Moreover, the remaining part of the hospital, which is not included in this project, will undergo an energy efficiency renovation. This investment will be financed through the Integrated Territorial Program for Islands, with funding approved at over €1.5 million.

With the growing number of foreign workers in Croatia and an increasing number of work permits being issued, the question arises whether these workers will one day be entitled to a Croatian pension. Given that Croatia has social security agreements with many countries, we’ve checked whether this includes Nepal, the Philippines, India, and others, reports N1. 

The authorities recently revealed that at the beginning of this year, over 120,000 foreign workers were employed in Croatia. Data from the Ministry of the Interior shows that last year, 206,529 permits for foreign residence and work were issued, and in the first two months of this year alone, 34,440 permits were granted, according to tportal.

Although many foreign workers come from neighboring countries within the region, an increasing number are arriving from Asia and Africa in search of a better life. The Institute for Migration Research published a study in January revealing that 19.5% of foreign workers plan to stay permanently in Croatia.

These workers mainly come from the Philippines, Nepal, India, Egypt, Bangladesh, Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, and other countries. The study found that 55% of them plan to bring their families to Croatia.

Social Security and Pensions

As a result, the state must ensure basic rights such as health care, social security, education, and pensions. The Croatian Pension Insurance Institute (HZMO) keeps records of insured individuals based on their personal identification number (OIB) and the passport country code, which does not necessarily mean the person is a citizen of that country.

According to these records, the number of foreign workers registered in the Croatian pension system is rising. At the end of 2024, there were just over 18,200 Nepalese, and by the end of February this year, that number had grown to 19,600. The number of Indian passport holders in the domestic pension insurance system is approaching 11,000, with significant numbers also coming from the Philippines (10,298). Other notable countries contributing to the Croatian pension system include Uzbekistan, Egypt, and Bangladesh.

“All working individuals are covered by compulsory insurance regardless of nationality, and all insured persons have equal rights and obligations in accordance with legal regulations,” stated the HZMO.

One of the benefits of this insurance is, ultimately, a pension. Last year, the government paid out 365 million euros in pensions to people in 52 countries worldwide.

Special Agreements

Croatia applies EU regulations on the coordination of social security systems with EU member states, the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), and Switzerland. A protocol on social security coordination is in place with the UK, and international social security agreements exist with countries like Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Canada, the Canadian province of Quebec, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey, South Korea, and Albania.

Interestingly, although pensions are paid to countries such as the Philippines and Thailand, the HZMO notes that Croatia does not have signed social security agreements with these or other Asian and African countries where many foreign workers originate. Whether workers from these regions will be entitled to a pension from Croatia remains uncertain. Agreements between two countries are usually negotiated and signed at the highest level, meaning that the Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family, and Social Policy is responsible for social agreements.

If and when bilateral social security agreements are made between Croatia and the countries where many foreign workers come from, these workers will be entitled to their own pensions if they meet the retirement conditions, including reaching the age of 65 and having 15 years of work experience. Workers who don’t meet the retirement conditions will receive a proportional pension based solely on the period of insurance or work history in Croatia.

In an update, Croatia's central bank, the HNB, has revised its forecasts for the economy, with inflation set to rise while growth slows. In its latest report, released Thursday, the HNB bumped up its inflation projection to 3.7% for this year, but cut its GDP growth forecast to just 3.2% – a drop of 0.2 percentage points for both.

This comes as the bank adjusts its expectations from December, where it had predicted a slightly better economic outlook. Last year, the country’s economy grew at a faster-than-expected pace of 3.8%, but the HNB warns that growth could slow to around 3% over the next two years, with a smaller contribution from domestic demand compared to 2024.

The central bank also pointed to the early months of 2025, predicting sluggish economic activity driven by weak consumer spending. This dip is blamed on the boycott of retail chains in January and February, which has left a dent in the economy. It looks like Croatia’s economic recovery might be facing some serious bumps ahead.

The organizers of Du Motion – Runners’ Days Dubrovnik are inviting all enthusiasts to become volunteers for this year’s edition, set to take place in Dubrovnik on April 26 and 27.

Last year, Du Motion attracted around 800 volunteers of all ages, who took on various tasks, including welcoming runners at Lazareti, securing race routes, assisting at refreshment stations, and handing out medals.

Du Motion director Alen Bošković extends an invitation: “Join us for the 9th edition of Du Motion and help create another exciting running event. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, gain experience, and build friendships. Volunteers will receive a special volunteer T-shirt, a benefits card, refreshments, and a volunteer diploma as a token of appreciation for their efforts.”

Turkish Airlines is turning up the heat on its Istanbul-Zagreb route this summer, adding even more flights than originally planned! The Star Alliance giant had already announced an increase from 18 to 21 weekly flights starting March 30, but now it’s going even bigger, reports EX-YU Aviation. 

To meet booming demand, the airline will introduce a fourth daily flight on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays between July 1 and September 1, pushing the total number of weekly services to a whopping 24 flights!